Summer Start
Summer Start offers incoming first-year students the opportunity to take an online course during the July Session (Summer 2): July 6–August 4, before the fall semester begins.
Completing a course through Summer Start allows students to earn credit, build confidence in a college-level class, and start their academic journey at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøearly.
Students may enroll in preparatory math or chemistry courses to stay on the recommended degree plan sequence. Students can also choose from select introductory courses.
CHEM 1302 – Preparatory Chemistry (Online)
Designed for students who want to strengthen their chemistry foundation before enrolling in CHEM 1303 - General Chemistry.
MATH 1303 – Precalculus for Business (Online)
Covers inequalities, graphs, functions, polynomials, logarithms, exponentials, linear equations, and mathematics of finance. Intended for students planning to take MATH 1309 - Introduction to Calculus for Business and Social Science.
MATH 1304 – Precalculus Mathematics (Online)
Graphs, functions, basic analytic geometry, exponentials, logarithms, trigonometry, and inverse functions. Prerequisite: Three years of high school math at the level of Algebra I and above. Intended only for students planning to take MATH 1337 - Calculus I.
CCPA 2300 – Public Speaking in Context (Online)
Introduces the theory and practice of public speaking, including rhetorical principles, evidence, nonverbal communication, and visual aids. Prerequisite: Restricted to corporate communications and public affairs or public relations and strategic communication majors or law and legal reasoning minors.
EDU 2350 – Educational Psychology (Online)
This course focuses on aspects related to the learning process, such as education theories, characteristics of learners, nature and measurements of abilities, motivation, and successful classroom practice.
STAT 2331 – Introduction to Statistical Methods (Online)
A non-calculus based introduction to statistical methods, and how to use statistical concepts in decision making. Topics include descriptive statistics, simple linear regression, elementary probability theory, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests. Introduces the use of Excel for statistical analysis.
UNIV 2349 – Mustang Emotional IQ (Online)
This course introduces the field of psychology, with emphasis on how people deal with the problems and challenges of everyday life. Students learn about classical and contemporary theories, recent research, and applications of the science of psychology to everyday situations.
FAQs
The courses offered through Summer Start are 3 credit hours and cost $5,430 each.
No general student fees are assessed. (Click to see how much pro-rated 51³Ô¹ÏÍøaid can be applied toward your tuition.)
If you are interested in enrolling in the Summer Start Program, complete the Interest Form. Interest Form will be live May 15, 2026.
Intersessions can also work to connect you with your advisor if you have questions about how Summer Start will fit into your academic plans.
Students participate in online courses on Canvas.
You should expect some synchronous meetings with your professor. These may be indicated in your schedule on my.51³Ô¹ÏÍøor the faculty will provide further information on the first day of class. Students should be able to review their syllabus in Canvas and may need to obtain any required textbooks. We also recommend you check your 51³Ô¹ÏÍøemail regularly while participating in the course.
Monday, June 8
First day of advising appointments.
Wednesday, June 24
Last day to apply for Intersessions Summer Start Scholarship.
Sunday, July 5
Last day to cancel/withdraw to receive 100% tuition refund.
Monday, July 6
First day of class. Check my.SMU for class meeting times.
Last day to cancel/withdraw to receive a partial tuition refund.
Tuesday, July 7
Last day to add/enroll/drop/withdraw without grade record.
Thursday, July 8
Last day to declare no credit grade options.
Wednesday, July 29
Last day drop/withdraw to receive a grade of"W" on transcript.
Last day to declare a course pass/fail.
Tuesday, August 4
Last day of class, including final exams.
Learn more about cancellation/withdrawal procedures.
51³Ô¹ÏÍøStudents who receive need- or merit-based financial aid through 51³Ô¹ÏÍøcan use our to determine how much pro-rated aid may be applied toward Summer Start tuition. Use of 51³Ô¹ÏÍøfinancial aid during Summer Start does not decrease the amount you are eligible for in future semesters.
The Intersessions program also offers a need-based scholarship for Summer Start. Application coming soon. Application deadline is Wednesday, June 24th, 2026.
Yes, the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (A-LEC) offers online tutoring over the summer. The summer tutoring schedule is available here. Please call at 214-768-3648 to access the tutoring services.
Summer Start courses are online so students do not need to be on campus to participate.
If you require housing, please reach out to: